Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, it is prohibited for a country to conduct research on natural resources that may lead to economic activities in the exclusive economic zone of another country.

In particular, the post-UNCED agreements and other instruments stress the need to adopt a precautionary approach, and to harmonize management of coastal areas and exclusive economic zones.

It argues the islands legally belong to Japan and that the area is within its exclusive economic zone.